Turbulence-Based Non-Contact Suction Device for Rough Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-contact suction mechanisms for mobile robots, such as Bernoulli's principle-based systems and vortex attractors, face inefficiencies and sensitivity issues on rough surfaces, with contact suction systems experiencing friction and catastrophic failures due to surface non-uniformities.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact multiple stage turbulence-based suction device with subdivided flow sections on a base plate, including acceleration, turbulence, and smooth zones, which creates suction without surface contact by accelerating and turbulent airflow to reduce pressure and maintain it over a large area, using a flow diverter to control flow and minimize energy loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-contact suction systems are used, then reliability on rough surfaces is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of suction generation from Bernoulli effect to turbulence-based suction. By creating controlled turbulence in the airflow through the vacuum chamber, the system generates low pressure regions that provide reliable suction on rough surfaces while improving energy efficiency compared to traditional non-contact systems
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum chamber is segmented into multiple flow sections (acceleration zone, transition zone, exhaust zone) that guide the airflow through specific paths. This segmentation allows the system to create turbulence in controlled regions while maintaining efficient airflow management, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy efficiency
2Use of energy by moving object
If contact suction systems are used, then energy efficiency is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to surface non-uniformities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces turbulence as an intermediary mechanism between the suction system and the surface. Instead of direct contact or simple pressure differential, controlled turbulence creates multiple low-pressure zones that adapt to surface irregularities, providing both reliability on rough surfaces and improved energy efficiency
3Force
If vortex attractors are used, then suction force is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to impeller striking surface protrusions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the impeller from direct contact with the suction surface. By positioning the impeller within the vacuum chamber and using turbulence-generated low-pressure zones, the system maintains strong suction force while eliminating the risk of impeller collision with surface protrusions, thereby improving reliability
4Force
If Bernoulli's principle-based systems are used, then suction force is improved, but device complexity increases due to flat under surface requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static Bernoulli-based flat surfaces to dynamic turbulence-based suction. The turbulence is generated by the rotating impeller creating time-varying flow patterns that produce low-pressure zones without requiring complex flat under-surface geometries, thus maintaining suction force while reducing device complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The turbulence-based suction device achieves higher energy efficiency and robustness on rough surfaces, minimizing load on the surface and spreading it over larger distances, while avoiding contact-related failures and maintaining performance with various fluids and slurries.
Implementation Method 1
an acceleration zone, wherein the air is accelerated
Implementation Method 2
a turbulence zone, wherein turbulence is induced in the accelerated air which causes a decrease in air energy which in turn decreases the air pressure
Implementation Method 3
a smooth zone, wherein the air flow velocity changes are minimal thereby maintaining pressure over a large bottom area
Implementation Method 4
a flow diverter, at the center to control and divert the flow of air in the flow path
Implementation Method 5
sucking fan(s)/rotating impeller(s) attached with the base plate facing towards a vacuum chamber formed interior of the base plate sucks air out of the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a high flow low pressure suction device. The device is a non-contact suction device based on multiple stage turbulence based low pressure suction mechanism which comprises fan(s) or rotating impeller(s) for drawing air/fluid/slurries operates without any seal between the device and the sucked surface. The device compounds this turbulence based low pressure generation along with Bernoulli's principle to yield a high efficiency suction device. The device implements the above concept by making the air/fluid/slurries flow through two or three zones selected from the acceleration zone(s), turbulence zone(s) (high turbulence zone) and smooth zone(s) (minimum turbulence zone). The device works by pulling the air/fluid/slurries into the vacuum chamber, accelerating the air/fluid/slurries, creating turbulence in the air/fluid/slurries in a thin region near the perimeter in order to cause a drop in pressure and then maintaining pressure over a large bottom area and finally exhausting the air/fluid/slurries through the fan(s)/rotating impeller(s).